The Manila Cathedral opened its noon mass on Wednesday to very few people, seeking a workaround to the Metro Manila quarantine bubble that prohibits mass gatherings.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the caretaker of the Archdiocese of Manila, issued a letter of instruction allowing religious worship would resume inside churches at 10% of the venue's capacity.
"Let the worshippers be spread apart within our churches, using the health protocols that we have been so consistently implementing. We follow the minimum standards of the health protocols but we continue to pray and worship the Lord," he said.
Those who cannot join physically may livestream masses. Traditional Holy Week rituals done outside of the church such as senakulo, pabasa, processions, motorcades, and Visita Iglesia are prohibited.
Quiapo Church vicar Fr. Douglas Badong said visiting churches was safer than malls and called on the government to allow people to occupy Plaza Miranda, which fronts the church, as restaurants were permitted to operate al fresco or outdoor dining services.
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